Document information management system

ABSTRACT

A document information management system in which a search-engine-compatible interface unit makes a word in a document displayed on the screen to be specified, transfers the specified word to a search engine as a keyword to be used in the search engine, receives a search result from the search engine, and displays the search result on the screen, while a browser-compatible interface unit performs a search (a keyword search and/or global search) by using the keyword transferred from a browser and transfers a search result to the browser.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a document informationmanagement system enabling search of documents only by specifying anarbitrary word as a keyword in a hypertext or a non-hypertext documentdisplayed on a screen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conventionally, a form of a document commonly used in the worldhas generally been a paper document, but progress of the Internet orintranet has given a birth to a hypertext as an electronic documentwhich can compete for the first time against the paper document. Thishypertext document is a document written in HTML in a narrow sense, andincludes all the electronic documents which can link between documentssuch as PDF documents by Adbe and a portion of an SGML document by CALS(namely, between a button comprising a particular word, a text, a symbolor graphics and a document) in a broad sense.

[0003] Specifically, the hypertext is a collection of linked texts(electronified documents) and is the basic concepts for multimediasoftware with which texts hierarchically related to each other cansimultaneously be referred from multiple sites to in an arbitrary orderthrough a link structure. Therefore, each document of this hypertextincludes information for forming the link structure (namely, informationas a hypertext) in addition to information visually provided to users.

[0004] By the way, in the field of computer technology, a search engineis provided as a means of searching for a document linked to aparticular word (keyword) from vast number of undefined documents. Itshould be noted that in the conventional type of search engine a keywordis not entered in a document but it is entered in a particular dialogbox.

[0005] However, although there are many advantages in the hypertext, ajump can be made only to a linked page (document), and so, when a userwants to have information related to any word not linked to some otherdocuments, it is necessary to actuate a search engine or the like andperform a search (a keyword search or a global search), which makes theoperation complicated, and also linkage among documents is not easytherefore it is not always easy to use the hypertext.

[0006] In the conventional type of hypertext, an operation with onebutton can be linked only to one document (page), which does not allow aplurality of documents to be referred to with one button. Especially,the Intranet documents are highly specialized so that there may exist aplurality of information that the user wants to refer to with onebutton, hence convenience of use and workability are not sufficient forthe situation.

[0007] In the conventional type of search engine, a user interface is ofinferior performance as compared to a hypertext and the operating methodis also different, and so, insufficient workability and convenience arefound in actuation of a search engine and performance of a search duringoperation of the hypertext. Especially, in a browser function fordisplaying and operating a hypertext on a screen, it is general tooperate only with a pointing device such as a mouse, so that entry of akeyword into a dialog box of the search engine through a keyboarddisturbs the flow of work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to get, for the purposeof solving the problems, enhanced convenience in document informationmanagement as well as in a document search, improved operability of akeyword search, and further promoted workability when a search isperformed through a hypertext by performing a search (a keyword searchand/or a global search) with any word which is not linked to otherdocuments as a keyword through a clicking operation thereon and enablingjumping from the clicked word to a page as an object to be searched likethat with a button in a hypertext.

[0009] In the document information management system according to thepresent invention, a search-engine-compatible interface unit makes aword in a document displayed on the screen to be specified, transfersthe specified word to a search engine as a keyword to be used in thesearch engine, receives a search result from the search engine, anddisplays the search result on the screen. On the other hand, abrowser-compatible interface unit performs a search by using the keywordtransferred from a browser and transfers a search result to the browser.Thus, by performing a search (a keyword search and/or a global search)with a word which is not liked to any document as a keyword through aclicking operation on the word, and enabling jumping from the clickedword to a page as an object to be searched like that with a button of ahypertext, it is possible to improve convenience in document informationmanagement as well as in a document search.

[0010] In the document information management system according toanother aspect of the present invention, a search-engine-compatibleinterface unit makes a word in a document displayed on the screen to bespecified, actuates a search engine and make the engine perform a searchwith the specified word as a keyword to be used in the search engine,receives a search result from the search engine and displays the resulton the screen. Thus, by performing a search with a word which is notliked to any document as a keyword through a clicking operation on theword, and enabling jumping from the clicked word to a page as an objectto be searched like that with a button of a hypertext, it is possible toimprove convenience in document information management as well as in adocument search.

[0011] Other objects and features of this invention will become apparentfrom the following description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a view showing a document information management systemaccording to Embodiment 1 of the present invention represented in theclaim;

[0013]FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a concrete example ofhardware configuration of the document information management systemaccording to Embodiment 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart of the document informationmanagement system according to Embodiment 1;

[0015]FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a display example of apop-up menu according to Embodiment 1;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a view showing a document information management systemaccording to Embodiment 2 of the present invention represented in theclaim;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart of the document informationmanagement system according to Embodiment 2;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart of a document informationmanagement system according to Embodiment 3;

[0019]FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a concrete example ofprocessing in steps S702 to S705 of FIG. 7;

[0020]FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a display example of akeyword according to Embodiment 3;

[0021]FIG. 10 is a schematic flow chart of a document informationmanagement system according to Embodiment 4;

[0022]FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are explanatory views showing how a word isidentified by a search-engine-compatible interface unit according toEmbodiment 5;

[0023]FIG. 12 is a schematic flow chart of a document informationmanagement system according to Embodiment 6;

[0024]FIG. 13 is a schematic flow chart of a document informationmanagement system according to Embodiment 7;

[0025]FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing an example of how tospecify (identify) search criteria and output criteria through a mouseoperation in Embodiment 7;

[0026]FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing an example of how tospecify (identify) search criteria and output criteria through a mouseoperation in Embodiment 7;

[0027]FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing an example of how tospecify (identify) search criteria and output criteria through a mouseoperation in Embodiment 7;

[0028]FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing an example of how tospecify (identify) search criteria and output criteria through a mouseoperation in Embodiment 7; and

[0029]FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing an example of how tospecify (identify) search criteria and output criteria through a mouseoperation in Embodiment 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Detailed description is made hereinafter for the documentinformation management system according to the present invention in theorder of Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 7 with reference to the accompanieddrawings.

[0031] The document information management system according toEmbodiment 1 is a system for getting enhanced convenience in documentinformation management as well as in a document search, improvedoperability of a search, and further promoted workability when a searchis performed through a hypertext by using a document displayed on thescreen of a browser as a front end of a search engine and displaying asearch result by the search engine on the screen of the browser.

[0032]FIG. 1 shows the document information management system accordingto Embodiment 1 represented in the claim which comprises at least onedatabase or a filing unit (described only as the database hereinafter tomake description simpler) 101 for storing therein a plurality ofdocument files comprising a hypertext document written in hypertextlanguage such as HTML and/or a non-hypertext document prepared with anapplication such as word processor, a browser 102 having a browsingfunction for displaying and operating the hypertext document and thenon-hypertext document on a screen, and a search engine 103 having asearch-engine function of searching for a corresponding document throughthe database (or the filing unit) 101 according to a specified keyword.

[0033] It should be noted that the browser 102 has asearch-engine-compatible interface unit 104 for specifying a word in adocument displayed on the screen, transferring the specified word to thesearch engine 103 as a keyword to be used in the search engine 103,receiving a search result from the search engine 103, and displaying thesearch result on the screen. Herein, the browser 102 receives a list fora pop-up menu from the search engine 103 (browser-compatible interfaceunit 105) as a search result by the search (keyword search or/and globalsearch), and displays the pop-up menu in a space adjacent to thespecified word.

[0034] The search engine 103 has a browser-compatible interface unit 105for performing a search by using the keyword transferred from thebrowser 102 (to be precise search-engine-compatible interface unit 104)and transferring a search result to the browser 102 (to be precisesearch-engine-compatible interface unit 104). Herein, the search engine103 prepares a list for a pop-up menu and transfers the list to thesearch-engine-compatible interface unit 104.

[0035]FIG. 2 shows a concrete example of hardware configuration of thedocument information management system according to Embodiment 1, inwhich a plurality of Web servers 201 connected to a network such as theIntranet can be used as databases 101. This Web server 201 has alarge-capacity hard disk device for storing the documents (hypertextdocuments and non-hypertext documents) to be used in the system.

[0036] As the browser 102, a terminal unit 202 such as a personalcomputer with built-in application software for realizing a browserfunction can be used. This terminal unit 202 has at least a display fordisplaying a document thereon, a pointing device such as a mouse foroperating the screen, and a communication unit for carrying outcommunications through a network Net. Of course, thesearch-engine-compatible interface unit 104 is incorporated in theterminal unit 202 as one function of application software for realizinga browser function. A number of terminal units 202 is not particularlyspecified, and so it is needless to say that a plurality of terminalunits 202 can be provided on the network Net as shown in the figure.

[0037] As the search engine 103, a terminal unit 203 such as a personalcomputer with built-in application software for realizing a searchengine function can be used. This terminal unit 203 is connected to thenetwork Net, and a plurality of units may be provided. One terminal unitcan also be shared for the terminal unit 202 as the browser 102 and theterminal unit 203 as the search engine 103. More specifically, theapplication software for realizing the search engine function may beincorporated in the terminal unit 202 with the built-in applicationsoftware for realizing the browser function. Of course, thebrowser-compatible interface unit 105 is incorporated in the terminalunit 203 (together with the search engine 103) as one function ofapplication software for realizing a browser function.

[0038] Description is made for the operation based on the configurationdescribed above with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a schematic flowchart of the document information management system according toEmbodiment 1. In Embodiment 1, when a keyword is inputted through thebrowser 102, the browser-compatible interface unit 105 actuates thesearch engine 103, and a search with the keyword is started.

[0039] At first, the browser 102 displays a document on the screen(S301). The search-engine-compatible interface unit 104 starts itsoperation in this state.

[0040] When a word is identified (specified) through a mouse operationof the terminal unit 202 (S302), the search-engine-compatible interfaceunit 104 recognizes the word as a keyword (S303), transfers the keywordto the search engine 103 (S304), and displays the recognized keyword(S305). Identification (specification) of a word herein is performed,for example, by clicking the second mouse button in order todifferentiate the above processing from processing of the hypertextdocument. The keyword is provided in a reverse video or is underlined sothat it can be discriminated from other words.

[0041] On the other hand, when the browser-compatible interface unit 105of the search engine 103 receives a keyword from thesearch-engine-compatible interface unit 104 of the browser 102 itactuates the search engine 103 and sets the keyword in a keyword-entryitem of the search engine 103 (S351). Herein, the browser-compatibleinterface unit 105, although it is a part of the application for thesearch engine 103, always stays resident on the terminal unit 203 andalso plays a role as a trigger to actuate the main system of the searchengine 103 when the keyword is transferred from the search engine 103.

[0042] When the keyword is set in step S351, the search engine 103executes a search operation with the set keyword (S352). It should benoted that the search with the keyword in this case is performed basedon the assumption that an object to be searched by the search engine 103(the database 101 to be searched) is previously set and specified.Therefore, a search can be performed across all the databases 101connected to the network Net as objects to be searched through settingor specification thereof, and can also be performed across only aparticular database 101 as an object to be searched. Setting andspecification of the database 101 as an object to be searched may becarried out with the browser 102 although it is not mentioned herein.

[0043] Then, the browser-compatible interface unit 105 prepares a listfor a pop-up menu from a search result with the keyword (S353), andtransfers the prepared list to the browser 102 (S354). It should benoted that document names having been searched and URLs (addresses) forthose documents are described on the list.

[0044] When the search-engine-compatible interface unit 104 of thebrowser 102 receives a list from the browser-compatible interface unit105 it develops the list to a hypertext and overwrites (displays) thelist in a space adjacent to the keyword of the original document as apop-up menu (S306). It should be noted that FIG. 4 shows a displayexample of a pop-up menu 402 appearing on the screen 401 of the browser102.

[0045] When the user identifies a desired document out of the pop-upmenu as indicated by the cursor 403 in FIG. 4 through the mouseoperation, the search-engine-compatible interface unit 104 notifies theURL (identification of the document) of the corresponding documentdescribed on the list to the browser 102 (S307). The browser 102accesses the database 101 (Web server 201) with a document in the linkedaddress stored therein according to the URL, and requests the database101 to transfer the source code of the corresponding document (S308).

[0046] The database 101 having received the request from the browser 102to transfer the source code transfers the source code of thecorresponding document to the browser 102 (S391).

[0047] The browser 102 after receiving the source code develops the codeto a hypertext document or a non-hypertext document (applicationdocument), and displays either of the documents on the screen (S309).

[0048] In accordance with Embodiment 1 as described above, a search isperformed by using a word which is not linked to other documents as akeyword by clicking on the word, and it is possible to jump from theclicked word to a page as an object to be searched, which is just likethe operation with a button of a hypertext. Therefore, it is possible toenhance convenience in document information management as well as in adocument search, improve operability of a keyword search, and furtherpromote workability when a search is performed through a hypertext. Inother words, it is possible to use a document displayed on the screen ofa browser 102 as a front end of the search engine 103 and display asearch result by the search engine 103 on the screen of the browser 102.

[0049] It should be noted that the browser-compatible interface unit 105can be realized by rewriting API (Application Programming Interface) ofthe existing search engine 103. Also, a search-engine-compatibleinterface unit 104 of the browser 102 can be realized by being added tothe existing browser as plug-in software.

[0050] The document information management system according toEmbodiment 2 is an example having the same effect as that of Embodiment1 in which the existing search engine 103 not having abrowser-compatible interface unit 105 is used. Namely, in the documentinformation management system according to Embodiment 1, the browser 102has the search-engine-compatible interface unit 104 and the searchengine 103 has the browser-compatible interface unit 105, through whichthe document appearing on the screen of the browser 102 is usable as afront end of the search engine 103, but in Embodiment 2, by expandingthe function of the search-engine-compatible interface unit 104 of thebrowser 103, the existing search engine 103 without a browser-compatibleinterface unit 105 incorporated therein can be used.

[0051] It should be noted that an example of basic hardwareconfiguration is the same as that in Embodiment 1, so that descriptionis made herein only for the different sections.

[0052]FIG. 5 shows a the document information management systemaccording to Embodiment 2 represented in the claim which comprises atleast one database or a filing unit (described only the databasehereinafter to make description simpler) 101 for storing therein aplurality of document files comprising a hypertext document written in ahypertext language such as HTML and/or a non-hypertext document preparedwith an application such as word processor, a browser 102 having abrowsing function for displaying and operating the hypertext documentand non-hypertext document on a screen, and a search engine 103 having asearch-engine function of searching for a corresponding document throughthe database 101 according to a specified keyword.

[0053] It should be noted that the browser 102 has asearch-engine-compatible interface unit 106 for specifying a word in adocument displayed on the screen, actuating the search engine 103 tomake the engine perform a search with the specified word as a keyword tobe used in the search engine 103, receiving a result of the search fromthe search engine 103, and displaying the search result on the screen.

[0054] Description is made for the operation based on the configurationdescribed above with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows a schematic flowchart of the document information management system according toEmbodiment 2. In Embodiment 2, when receiving a keyword, the browser 102actuates the search engine 103, and a search with the keyword isstarted.

[0055] At first, the browser 102 displays a document on the screen(S601). The search-engine-compatible interface unit 106 starts itsoperation in this state.

[0056] When a word is identified (specified) through a mouse operationof the terminal unit 202 (S602), the search-engine-compatible interfaceunit 106 recognizes the word as a keyword (S603), and actuates thesearch engine 103 (S604). Herein, the actuated search engine 103transfers a screen for entering a keyword to thesearch-engine-compatible interface unit 106 as processing executable onthe system (S651).

[0057] Even if the search-engine-compatible interface unit 106 receivesthe keyword entering screen from the search engine 103 it does notdisplay this screen (namely, the processing of displaying the screen isskipped), but transfers the keyword recognized in step S603 to thesearch engine 103 (S605), and displays the recognized keyword on thescreen (S606). Identification (specification) of a word herein isperformed, for example, by clicking the second mouse button in order todifferentiate the above processing from processing of the hypertextdocument. The keyword is provided in a reverse video or is underlined sothat it can be discriminated from other words.

[0058] On the other hand, when the search engine 103 receives a keywordfrom the search-engine-compatible interface unit 106 it performs theprocessing of a search with the received keyword (S652). It should benoted that the search with the keyword in this case is performed basedon the assumption that an object to be searched by the search engine 103(the database 101) is previously set and specified. Therefore, a searchcan be performed across all the databases 101 connected to the networkNet as objects to be searched through setting or specification thereof,and can also be performed across only a particular database 101 as anobject to be searched. Setting and specification of the database 101 asan object to be searched may be carried out with the browser 102although it is not mentioned herein.

[0059] Then the search engine 103 transfers a result of the search tothe search-engine-compatible interface unit 106 (S653).

[0060] While the search-engine-compatible interface unit 106 cuts out,when receiving the keyword-search result, the button from the searchresult to prepare a list for a pop-up menu (S607), develops the list toa hypertext, and overwrites (displays) the list in a space adjacent tothe keyword of the original document as a pop-up menu (S608).

[0061] When the user identifies a desired document out of the pop-upmenu through the mouse operation, the search-engine-compatible interfaceunit 106 notifies the URL (identification of the document) of thecorresponding document described on the list to the browser 102 (S609).The browser 102 accesses the database 101 (Web server 201) with adocument in the linked address stored therein according to the URL, andrequests the database 101 to transfer the source code of thecorresponding document (S610).

[0062] The database 101 having received the request from the browser 102to transfer the source code transfers the source code of thecorresponding document to the browser 102 (S691).

[0063] When the browser 102 receives the source code it develops thecode to a hypertext document or a non-hypertext document (applicationdocument), and displays either of the documents on the screen (S611).

[0064] In accordance with Embodiment 2 as described above, in additionto the same effect as that in Embodiment 1, the existing search engine103 can be used as it is, which makes it easy to apply the invention tothe existing system, and the convenience of use can further be improved.

[0065] In the document information management system according toEmbodiment 3, a document file for a document displayed on the screen andused for specifying a keyword by the browser has a word table preparedby previously cutting out words included in the document file. Thesearch-engine-compatible interface unit selects in the documentdisplayed on the screen a plurality of expanded character strings eachobtained by adding characters or character strings before and behind acharacter pointed by a cursor thereto, compares the selected strings tothe words in the word table added to the document to evaluate thestrings, and identifies an optimal word which can be assumed as the onebeing pointed by the cursor as a keyword to be used in the searchengine.

[0066] The document information management system according to thepresent invention requires a function of identifying a word specified inthe browser (search-engine-compatible interface unit), but this functionof identifying a word can be realized in various methods, so that, amethod is not particularly defined in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2.Therefore, in Embodiment 3, the function of identifying a wordpreferable to the document information management system is explainedconcretely.

[0067] It should be noted that the basic configuration and the operationthereof are the same as those in Embodiment 1, so that detaileddescription is made herein only for the different sections.

[0068] By the way, it is not easy to identify a word in a document suchas the one written in Japanese. In such a case the method of identifyinga word includes a method of preparing a particular document structurepreviously produced according to a use and a method of using an existingdocument structure. Herein, the document structure for the browser 102of the document information management system according to the presentinvention makes it easy to identify a word by using a document (ahypertext document or a non-hypertext document) having a word tableprepared by previously cutting out words included in a document file.

[0069] Added to a document file handled in the document informationmanagement system according to Embodiment 3 is a word table prepared bypreviously cutting out words in a document file. When a global search isto be performed across any document in Japanese, Chinese, or Koreanlanguage as an object to be searched, an index file such as a characterelement table and a word table is added to the document to be searched.Therefore, all of the documents handled in the system has a word tableadded thereto respectively, and this word table functions as a wordtable used for identifying a word in the document on the screen of thebrowser 102 and functions as an index file used for a global search inthe document to be searched.

[0070] The preparation of the word table will be carried out as followswith terminal units 202, 203 and a Web server 201 connected to thenetwork Net.

[0071] At first, words are cut out of a document registered anew byusing a technique such as morpheme analysis at the point of time when aprepared document is registered or during the time zone such as nighttime when the document information management system is not used, then,a word table is prepared with the cut-out words, and the word table isadded to the original document file, and the rewritten data isregistered.

[0072] The processing as described above is always carried out, whichallows word tables to be added to all the document files existing in thedocument information management system according to Embodiment 3.

[0073] Description is made for the operation based on the configurationdescribed above with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows a schematic flowchart of the document information management system according toEmbodiment 3. In Embodiment 3, when a keyword is identified by thebrowser 102, the browser-compatible interface unit 105 actuates thesearch engine 103, and a search with the keyword is started.

[0074] At first, the browser 102 displays a document on the screen(S701). The search-engine-compatible interface unit 104 starts itsoperation in this state.

[0075] When a character is identified (specified) through a mouseoperation of the terminal unit 202 (S702), the search-engine-compatibleinterface unit 104 cuts out a character string obtained by adding somecharacters before and after the character thereto (adjacent characterstring) (S703), compares the cut-out character string to the word table(S704), cuts out the character string coincident with any word in theword table as a word, and identifies the word (S705).

[0076] Herein, a concrete example of processing in steps S702 to S705 isshown with reference to FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, acursor 801 is moved to an arbitrary character (herein a character “A” inthe word “MARKED”) in the document displayed on the screen, a mousebutton is clicked, and the character (character “A”) at the position ofthe cursor is specified. The character at the position of the cursorspecified as described above is identified as an identified character702A in step S702 (Refer to FIG. 7). It should be noted thatidentification of a word herein is performed, for example, by clickingthe second mouse button in order to differentiate the above processingfrom processing of the hypertext document.

[0077] Then, a character string obtained by adding some charactersbefore and after the identified character thereto (adjacent characterstring) is cut out. It is conceivable that there are various methods asthe method of cutting out a character, but there is the simplest one inwhich punctuation marks before and after an identified character aredecided as identifiers and a character string between the punctuationmarks can be cut out as an adjacent character string. In this case, theadjacent character string cut-out in step S703 is as follows: “when aplurality of buttons are marked a plurality of pages are outputted ontothe display or to the printer.” as indicated by the reference numeral703A in FIG. 7.

[0078] Then, the adjacent character string is compared with the words inthe word table, and the character string coincident with any word in theword table is cut out as a word, and the word is identified. Thisidentification of a word can be carried out as follows.

[0079] 1) A character string “MA” obtained by adding one characterbefore the specified character “A” is decided as a temporary word, andcomparison is made as to whether there is any word coinciding with thistemporary word in the word table or not, and when it is determined thatthere is a coinciding word in the word table, the temporary word isidentified as a word.

[0080] 2) When it is determined that there is no coinciding word in theword table, a character string “AR” obtained by adding one characterbehind the specified character “A” is decided as a temporary word, andcomparison is made as to whether there is any word coinciding with thistemporary word in the word table or not, and when it is determined thatthere is the coinciding word, the temporary word is identified as aword.

[0081] 3) When it is determined that there is no coinciding wordtherein, a character string “MAR” obtained by adding one characterbefore and after the specified character “A” is decided as a temporaryword, and comparison is made as to whether there is any word coincidingwith this temporary word in the word table or not, and when it isdetermined that there is the coincident word therein, the temporary wordis identified as a word.

[0082] Thereafter and on, characters are added in the same manner asdescribed above, and the processing is repeated until the cut-outcharacter string is coincident with any word in the word table or until‘the cut-out character string’ becomes the same as ‘the adjacentcharacter string’.

[0083] Herein, a word “MARK” is identified as indicated by the referencenumeral 705A in FIG. 7 during the identification of a word in step S705.

[0084] In English language the words in a sentence are separated by aspace, so that a character string sandwiched between spaces can withoutdifficulty be considered as a word. However, in languages like Japanese,Chinese or Korean, words in a sentence are not separated by space as inEnglish. Therefore, in the documents written in these languages, it isdifficult to decide where a word starts and where it ends in a sentence.In the above described method, a character is added before or behind aspecified character, so that, a stage is reached when a word having ameaning is formed and the word coincides with a word in the word table.Though an English language document is shown in FIG. 8 forsimplification in explanation, this method is more effective forextracting a word from the documents written in Japanese, Chinese orKorean languages.

[0085] The identified word “MARK” is recognized as a keyword in stepS706 of FIG. 7, and the keyword is transferred to the search engine 103.The recognized keyword is also displayed on the screen in step S707.FIG. 9 shows an example of display of a keyword. The keyword is providedin a reverse video or is underlined so that it can be distinguished fromother words.

[0086] On the other hand, when the browser-compatible interface unit 105of the search engine 103 receives the keyword from thesearch-engine-compatible interface unit 104 of the browser 102 itactuates the search engine 103 and sets the keyword in a keyword-entryitem of the search engine 103 (S751). Herein, the browser-compatibleinterface unit 105, although it is a part of the application for thesearch engine 103, always stays resident on the terminal unit 203 andalso plays a role as a trigger to actuate the main system of the searchengine 103 when the keyword is transferred from the search engine 103.

[0087] When the keyword is set in step S751, the search engine 103executes a search operation with the set keyword (S752).

[0088] Then, the browser-compatible interface unit 105 prepares a listfor a pop-up menu from a search result with the keyword (S753), andtransfers the prepared list to the browser 102 (S754). It should benoted that document names having been searched and URLs (addresses) forthose documents are described in this list.

[0089] When the search-engine-compatible interface unit 104 of thebrowser 102 receives a list from the browser-compatible interface unit105 it develops the list to a hypertext and overwrites (displays) thelist in a space adjacent to the keyword of the original document as apop-up menu (S708).

[0090] When the user identifies a desired document out of the pop-upmenu through the mouse operation, the search-engine-compatible interfaceunit 104 notifies the URL (identification of the document) of thecorresponding document described in the list to the browser 102 (S709).The browser 102 accesses the database 101 (Web server 201) with adocument in the linked address stored therein according to the URL, andrequests the database 101 to transfer the source code of thecorresponding document (S710).

[0091] The database 101 having received the request from the browser 102to transfer the source code transfers the source code of thecorresponding document to the browser 102 (S791).

[0092] When the browser 102 receives the source code it develops thecode to a hypertext document or a non-hypertext document (applicationdocument), and displays either of the documents on the screen (S711).

[0093] In accordance with Embodiment 3 as described above, in additionto the same effect as that in Embodiment 1, a document file has a wordtable prepared by previously cutting out words included in the documentfile, and the search-engine-compatible interface unit selects, in thedocument displayed on the screen, a plurality of expanded characterstrings each obtained by adding characters or character strings beforeand after a character pointed by a cursor thereto, compares the selectedstrings to the words in the word table to evaluate the strings, andidentifies an optimal word which can be assumed as the one being pointedby the cursor as a keyword to be used in the search engine, therefore aword as a keyword can accurately and efficiently be identified.

[0094] The document information management system according toEmbodiment 4 concretely shows another example of a function foridentifying a word preferable to the document information managementsystem according to the present invention. It should be noted that thebasic configuration and the operation thereof are the same as those inEmbodiment 1, so that detailed description is made herein only for thedifferent sections.

[0095] In the document information management system according toEmbodiment 4, a hypertext document handled in the system has a dummybutton obtained by previously cutting out a word included in thedocument and setting a target for linking the word thereto as particularaddress information for responding to actuation of the search engineprovided therein. Further, the search-engine-compatible interface unitidentifies, when the dummy button is pointed by the cursor, a wordcorresponding to the dummy button as a keyword to be used in the searchengine, and also actuates the search engine according to the URL for thedummy button.

[0096] Thus, the hypertext document handled in Embodiment 4 has apreviously set dummy button. It should be noted that any word havingbeen set as an ordinary button in a hypertext document is not set as adummy button, but all the main words other than the button therein areset as dummy buttons. A linked URL of this dummy button is set in thesearch engine 103 or in a common particular URL.

[0097] The setting and preparation of this dummy button is carried outas follows with terminal units 202, 203 and the Web server 201 connectedto a network Net. At first, a word is cut out of a document registeredanew by using a technique such as morpheme analysis at the point of timewhen a prepared document is registered or during the time zone such asnight time when the document information management system is not used,then, the cut-out word is identified as a dummy button, the linked URLthereof is set, the dummy button is added to the original document file,and the rewritten data is registered.

[0098] The processing as described above is always carried out, whichallows dummy buttons to be added to all the hypertext documents existingin the document information management system according to Embodiment 4.

[0099] Description is made for the operation based on the configurationdescribed above with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows a schematicflow chart of the document information management system according toEmbodiment 4. In Embodiment 4, when a dummy button is identified by thebrowser 102, the browser-compatible interface unit 105 actuates thesearch engine 103, and a search with the keyword is started.

[0100] At first, the browser 102 displays a document on the screen(S1001). The search-engine-compatible interface unit 104 starts itsoperation in this state.

[0101] When a dummy button is identified (specified) through a mouseoperation of the terminal unit 202 (S1002), the search-engine-compatibleinterface unit 104 accesses to the linked URL set in the dummy button(S1003), transfers the character string (word) for the dummy button tothe linked location as a keyword (S1004), and displays the identifieddummy button (keyword) on the screen (S1005). It should be noted that akeyword is provided in a reverse video or is underlined so that it canbe distinguished from the button and other words in a hypertext.

[0102] On the other hand, when the access is made from thesearch-engine-compatible interface unit 104 of the browser 102 in stepS1003, the browser-compatible interface unit 105 of the search engine103 actuates the search engine 103 (S1051), recognizes the keyword whenit receives the keyword from the search-engine-compatible interface unit104 in step S1004 and sets the keyword in a keyword-entry item of thesearch engine 103 (S1052). Herein, the browser-compatible interface unit105, although it is a part of the application for the search engine 103,always stays resident on the terminal unit 203 and also plays a role asa trigger to actuate the main system of the search engine 103 when thekeyword is transferred from the search engine 103.

[0103] When the keyword is set in step S1052, the search engine 103executes a search operation with the set keyword (S1053).

[0104] Then, the browser-compatible interface unit 105 prepares a listfor a pop-up menu from a search result with the keyword (S1054), andtransfers the prepared list to the browser 102 (S1055). It should benoted that document names having been searched and URLs (addresses) forthose documents are described in this list.

[0105] When the search-engine-compatible interface unit 104 of thebrowser 102 receives a list from the browser-compatible interface unit105 it develops the list to a hypertext and overwrites (displays) thelist in a space adjacent to the keyword of the original document as apop-up menu (S1006).

[0106] When the user identifies a desired document out of the pop-upmenu through the mouse operation, the search-engine-compatible interfaceunit 104 notifies the URL (identification of the document) of thecorresponding document described in the list to the browser 102 (S1007).The browser 102 accesses the database 101 (Web server 201) with adocument in the linked address stored therein according to the URL, andrequests the database to transfer the source code of the correspondingdocument (S1008).

[0107] The database 101 having received the request from the browser 102to transfer the source code transfers the source code of thecorresponding document to the browser 102 (S1091).

[0108] When the browser 102 receives the source code it develops thecode to a hypertext document or a non-hypertext document (applicationdocument), and displays either of the documents on the screen (S1009).

[0109] In accordance with Embodiment 4 as described above, in additionto the same effect as that in Embodiment 1, a hypertext document has adummy button obtained by previously cutting out a word included in thedocument and setting the linked address of the word as particularaddress information (URL) for responding to actuation of the searchengine, therefore a word as a keyword can efficiently be identified andalso a search engine can easily be actuated.

[0110] Embodiment 5 shows another example of a function for identifyinga word preferable to the document information management systemaccording to the present invention, and a search engine-compatibleinterface unit cuts out, in a document displayed on the screen, acharacter string from a header character to an end character indicatedby the cursor as a word, and identifies the cut-out word as a keyword tobe used in the search engine. It should be noted that the basicconfiguration and the operation thereof are the same as those inEmbodiment 1, so that description is made herein only for a method ofidentifying a word by the search-engine-compatible interface unit 104.

[0111]FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are explanatory views showing how a word isidentified by the search-engine-compatible interface unit 104 accordingto Embodiment 5. The search-engine-compatible interface unit 104detects, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a first position 1101 and asecond position 1102 of the cursor in the document on the screen of thebrowser 102, cuts out a character string from the character at the firstposition 1101 to the character at the second position 1102 as aspecified word, and sets the word as an identified word 1103.

[0112] More specifically, a method of clicking ON a mouse button at thefirst position 1101 and clicking OFF the mouse button at the secondposition 1102 and a method of clicking the mouse button at the firstposition 1101 and again clicking the mouse button at the second position1102 may be used. Also identification of a word is performed, forexample, by clicking the second mouse button in order to differentiatethe above processing from processing of the hypertext document. Further,the identified word is provided in a reverse video or is underlined.

[0113] In accordance with Embodiment 5 as described above, there is noneed to have a particular document structure, therefore an existinghypertext document or a non-hypertext document (application document)can be used as it is. In addition, a word as a keyword can efficientlybe identified.

[0114] In the document information management system according toEmbodiment 6, the search-engine-compatible interface unit cuts out, inthe document displayed on the screen, an optimal word through evaluationof an expanded character string obtained by adding characters orcharacter strings before and behind a character pointed by a cursorthereto by using a word cut-out technique such as morpheme analysis, andidentifies the cut-out word as a keyword to be used in the searchengine.

[0115] It should be noted that the basic configuration and the operationthereof are the same as the document information management systemaccording to Embodiment 3, so that description is made herein only forthe different sections.

[0116]FIG. 12 shows a schematic flow chart of the document informationmanagement system according to Embodiment 6, in which step S1201 isprovided in place of step S704 of the schematic flow chart in Embodiment3 shown in FIG. 7, and the other steps are the same as those inEmbodiment 3.

[0117] When a character is identified (specified) through a mouseoperation of the terminal unit 202 (S702), the search-engine-compatibleinterface unit 104 cuts out a character string obtained by adding somecharacters before and after the character thereto (adjacent characterstring) (S703), cuts out a word through morpheme analysis of the cut-outcharacter string for evaluation (S1201), and identifies an optimal word(S705).

[0118] Herein, the adjacent character string cut-out in step S703 is asfollows: “when a plurality of buttons are marked, a plurality of pagesare outputted onto the display or to the printer.” as indicated by thereference numeral 703A in FIG. 12. When this adjacent character stringis subjected to the morpheme analysis, the word “MARK” can be identifiedas indicated by the reference numeral 705A in FIG. 12.

[0119] In accordance with Embodiment 5 as described above, thesearch-engine-compatible interface unit 104 cuts out an optimal wordthrough evaluation of a character string by using a word cut-outtechnique such as morpheme analysis, and identifies the cut-out word asa keyword to be used in the search engine, therefore a word as a keywordcan accurately and efficiently be identified.

[0120] The document information management system according toEmbodiment 7 enables entry of search criteria and output criteria muchmore as compared to those in Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 6. It should benoted that the basic configuration is the same as that of Embodiment 1,so that description is made herein only for the different sections.

[0121] In the document information management system according toEmbodiment 7, the search-engine-compatible interface unit 104 displays amenu for specifying search criteria and output criteria for the searchengine 103 in a space adjacent to the specified word, and performs asearch and output according to the specified word as well as to the menuitems specified by the cursor.

[0122] Description is made for the operation based on the configurationdescribed above with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 shows a schematicflow chart of the document information management system according toEmbodiment 7. In Embodiment 7, when a keyword is identified by thebrowser 102, the browser-compatible interface unit 105 actuates thesearch engine 103, and a search with the keyword is started.

[0123] At first, the browser 102 displays a document on the screen(S1301). The search-engine-compatible interface unit 104 starts itsoperation in this state.

[0124] When a word is identified (specified) through a mouse operationof the terminal unit 202 (S1302), the search-engine-compatible interfaceunit 104 recognizes, the word as a keyword (S1303), and displays therecognized keyword on the screen (S1304).

[0125] Then, a pop-up menu for specifying search criteria as well asoutput criteria is overwritten and displayed adjacent to the recognizedkeyword (S1305). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, when thekeyword 1401 (for example, “LINKED”) is displayed, the pop-up menu forthe search criteria as well as output criteria is displayed adjacent tothe corresponding keyword. By clicking on a desired character on thispop-up menu (not shown), the corresponding item can be selected. In thesearch criteria, it is possible to specify a category and a type of DB(database to be searched), and in the output criteria, it is possible tospecify output of related information and data for the relatedinformation and also specify a target to be outputted of data (a deviceto which the data is outputted).

[0126] When the search criteria and output criteria are identifiedthrough the mouse operation described later in step S1306, thesearch-engine-compatible interface unit 104 transfers the recognizedkeyword and the identified search criteria to the search engine 103(S1307).

[0127] On the other hand, when the browser-compatible interface unit 105of the search engine 103 receives a keyword from thesearch-engine-compatible interface unit 104 of the browser 102 itactuates the search engine 103 and sets the keyword for the searchengine 103 and the search criteria as well as output criteria therein(S1351). Herein, the browser-compatible interface unit 105, although itis a part of the application for the search engine 103, always staysresident on the terminal unit 203 and also plays a role as a trigger toactuate the main system of the search engine 103 when the keyword istransferred from the search engine 103.

[0128] When the keyword and the search criteria as well as outputcriteria are set in step S1351, the search engine 103 executes a searchoperation with the set keyword and search criteria as well as outputcriteria (S1352).

[0129] Then, the browser-compatible interface unit 105 determineswhether output of data for related information is specified as an outputcriterion or not (S1353). Herein, when it is determined that the outputof data for related information is set, the browser-compatible interfaceunit 105 prepares a list for a pop-up menu from a keyword-search result(S1355), and transfers the prepared list to the browser 102 (S1356).When it is determined that the output of data for related information isnot set, the browser-compatible interface unit 105 transfers only theURL for the related information to the browser 102 (S1354).

[0130] When the search-engine-compatible interface unit 104 of thebrowser 102 receives a list from the browser-compatible interface unit105 it develops the list to a hypertext and overwrites (displays) thelist in a space adjacent to the keyword of the original document as apop-up menu (S1308).

[0131] When the user identifies a desired document out of the pop-upmenu through the mouse operation, the search-engine-compatible interfaceunit 104 notifies the URL (identification of the document) of thecorresponding document described in the list to the browser 102 (S1309).The browser 102 accesses the database 101 (Web server 201) with adocument in the linked address stored therein according to the URL, andrequests the database 101 to transfer the source code of thecorresponding document (S1310). Similarly, when the browser 102 receivesthe URL for the related information from the browser-compatibleinterface unit 105 it accesses the database 101 (Web server 201) with adocument in the linked address stored therein according to the URL, andrequests the database 101 to transfer the source code of thecorresponding document.

[0132] The database 101 having received the request from the browser 102to transfer the source code transfers the source code of thecorresponding document to the browser 102 (S1391).

[0133] When the browser 102 receives the source code it develops thecode to a hypertext document or a non-hypertext document (applicationdocument), and displays either of the documents on the screen (S1311).

[0134] Next, description is made more specifically for a method ofspecifying (identifying) search criteria as well as output criteriathrough a mouse operation with reference to FIG. 14 to FIG. 18.

[0135] Specification of the search criteria as well as output criteriais performed, for example, by clicking the second mouse button in orderto differentiate the above processing from processing of the hypertextdocument. The specified word is provided in a reverse video or isunderlined.

[0136] As the search criteria, a simple search equation can be used. Forexample, OR search does not require a search equation while an ANDsearch is performed through the operation described below. At first, itis assumed, as shown in FIG. 14, that the criteria indicated by thepop-up menu 1402 are set for the keyword 1401 and the criteria (default)indicated by the pop-up menu 1404 are set for the keyword 1403. In thisstatus, the cursor is pointed to the keyword 1403 having been specifiedand the second mouse button is clicked ON, and the cursor is moved tothe keyword 1405 which is not specified yet and the second mouse buttonis clicked OFF, and then an AND sign “∩” is generated over the keyword1403 to the keyword 1405. At this point of time, the same contents asthose of the pop-up menu 1404 are displayed as a pop-up menu 1406. Itshould be noted that only the pop-up menu 1404 may be displayed for theAND search.

[0137] As some other method, the cursor is pointed to the keyword 1403having been specified and the second mouse button is clicked ON, and thecursor is moved to the keyword 1405 which is not specified yet and thesecond mouse button is clicked OFF, and then the keyword 1403 is movedto the position of the keyword 1405 and automatically returned to theoriginal position as soon as the second mouse button is clicked OFF(drag & drop), and the AND sign “∩” is generated over the keyword 1403to the keyword 1405. At this point of time, the same contents as thoseof the pop-up menu 1404 are displayed as the pop-up menu 1406.

[0138] Some other search criteria as well as output criteria are alsospecified by clicking thereon. For example, as shown in FIG. 15,“Related information, DB2, Category C, Display” is specified in thepop-up menu 1404 of the AND search for the keyword 1403 and keyword1405. This specification indicates “AND of the two keywords is searchedin the category C of the DB2, and the data for related information isoutputted to the display (during its specification)”. The specifiedsearch criteria as well as output criteria is displayed like the pop-upmenu 1402 for the keyword 1401. It should be noted that the pop-up menu1402 indicates “One keyword is searched in the category A of thedatabase DB1, and the related information is outputted to the printer 1(after its specification)”.

[0139] When the contents of a pop-up menu (search criteria and outputcriteria) having been specified once is to be corrected, the cursor ispointed to the pop-up menu having been specified and the second mousebutton is clicked, and then the pop-up menu is displayed again, on whichspecification can be carried out again.

[0140] Then, as shown in FIG. 16, when the cursor is pointed to the“EXECUTE” button 1601 on the screen and the second mouse button isclicked, execution of a search is instructed, and the criteria thereforare identified in step S1306 of FIG. 13.

[0141]FIG. 17 shows an example of how the mouse is operated when atarget to be outputted of data for related information is to bespecified. As shown in steps S1355, S1356 of FIG. 13, thebrowser-compatible interface unit 105 of the search engine 103 transfersa search result as a list for a pop-up menu to thesearch-engine-compatible interface unit 104 of the browser 102. Thesearch-engine-compatible interface unit 104 develops the list to ahypertext, and overwrites and displays the list in a space adjacent tothe original keyword as a pop-up menu 1701. The data for relatedinformation (such as a title and summary) is displayed in some spaceadjacent to the keyword as the pop-up menu 1701 as described above, andwhen the cursor is pointed to a desired data for related information onthe pop-up menu 1701 and the second mouse button is clicked thereon, apop-up menu 1801 for output criteria is displayed as shown in FIG. 18. Atarget to be outputted (printer 2 herein) of data can be specified bypointing the cursor to an item for the output criteria and clicking thesecond mouse button thereon.

[0142] It should be noted that the search criteria and output criteriashown in FIG. 14 to FIG. 18 are set as required, therefore items are notlimited to the items described above. It is not always necessary to useall the items described above. Namely, only items required for eachdocument information management system discretely constructed may beused.

[0143] In accordance with Embodiment 5 as described above, in additionto the same effect as that in Embodiment 1, the search-engine-compatibleinterface unit displays a menu for specifying search criteria and outputcriteria for the search engine in a space adjacent to a specified word,and performs a search and output according to the specified word as wellas to the menu items specified by the cursor, so that workability andconvenience for the user can further be improved.

[0144] As described above, in the document information management systemaccording to the present invention, the search-engine-compatibleinterface unit makes a word in a document displayed on the screen to bespecified, transfers the specified word to a search engine as a keywordto be used in the search engine, receives a search result from thesearch engine, and displays the search result on the screen, and thebrowser-compatible interface unit performs a search by using the keywordtransferred from a browser and transfers a search result to the browser,so that, by performing a search (a keyword search and/or a globalsearch) with a word which is not liked to any document as a keywordthrough a clicking operation on the word, and enabling jumping from theclicked word to a page as an object to be searched like that with abutton of a hypertext, it is possible to improve convenience in documentinformation management as well as in a document search, operability of akeyword search, and further workability when a search is performedthrough a hypertext.

[0145] In the document information management system according toanother aspect of the present invention, a list for a pop-up menu isprepared from a keyword-search result and the pop-up menu is displayedon the screen, so that workability and convenience for the user canfurther be improved.

[0146] In the document information management system according toanother aspect of the present invention, a search-engine-compatibleinterface unit makes a word in a document displayed on the screen to bespecified, actuates a search engine and make the engine perform a searchwith the specified word as a keyword to be used in the search engine,receives a search result from the search engine and displays the resulton the screen, so that, by performing a search with a word which is notliked to any document as a keyword through a clicking operation on theword, and enabling jumping from the clicked word to a page as an objectto be searched like that with a button of a hypertext, it is possible toimprove convenience in document information management as well as in adocument search, operability of a keyword search, and furtherworkability when a search is performed through a hypertext.

[0147] In the document information management system according toanother aspect of the present invention, a document file has a wordtable prepared by previously cutting out words included in the documentfile, so that a word as a keyword can efficiently be identified.

[0148] In the document information management system according toanother aspect of the present invention, a hypertext document has adummy button obtained by previously cutting out a word included in thedocument and setting a linked target of the word as a particular addressinformation for responding to actuation of the search engine, so that aword as a keyword can efficiently be identified and also a search enginecan easily be actuated.

[0149] In the document information management system according toanother aspect of the present invention, a search-engine-compatibleinterface unit cuts out, in the document displayed on the screen, acharacter string from a header character to an end character pointed bya cursor as a word, and identifies the cut-out word as a keyword to beused in the search engine, so that a word as a keyword can efficientlybe identified.

[0150] In the document information management system according toanother aspect of the present invention, a search-engine-compatibleinterface unit evaluates, in the document displayed on the screen, anexpanded character string obtained by adding characters or characterstrings before and after a character pointed by a cursor thereto basedon a word cut-out technology such as morpheme analysis, cuts out anoptimal word, and identifies the cut-out word as a keyword to be used inthe search engine, so that a word as a keyword can accurately andefficiently be identified.

[0151] In the document information management system according toanother aspect of the present invention, a document file has a ord tableprepared by previously cutting out words included in the document file,and a search-engine-com atible interface unit selects, in the documentdisplayed on the screen, a plurality of expanded character strings eachobtained by adding characters or character strings before and. ehind acharacter pointed by a cursor thereto, compares the selected strings tothe words in the word table to evaluate the strings, and identifies anoptimal word as if the word is pointed by the cursor as a keyword to beused in the search engine, so that a word as a keyword can accuratelyand efficiently be identified.

[0152] In the document information management system according toanother aspect of the present invention, a hypertext document has adummy button obtained by previously evaluating a word included in thedocument based on a word cut-out technology such as morpheme analysis,cutting out the word, and setting a linked target of the word as aparticular URL for responding to actuation of a search engine, and asearch-engine-compatible interface unit identifies, when the dummybutton is pointed by the cursor, a word corresponding to the dummybutton as a keyword to be used in the search engine, and also actuatesthe search engine according to the URL for the dummy button, so that aword as a keyword can accurately and efficiently be identified, and alsoa search engine can easily be actuated.

[0153] In the document information management system according toanother aspect of the present invention, a search-engine-compatibleinterface unit displays a menu for specifying search criteria and outputcriteria for a search engine in a space adjacent to a specified word,and performs a search and output according to the specified word as wellas to the menu items specif ied by the cursor, so that workability andconvenience for the user can further be improved.

[0154] In the document information management system according toanother aspect of the present invention, databases or the filing unitsare Web servers connected to each other through the Internet or anintranet, so that information can be collected from a wide range thereofthrough the Internet or the intranet.

[0155] Although the invention has been described with respect to aspecific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appendedclaims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodyingall modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to oneskilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching hereinset forth.

What is claimed is:
 1. A document information management systemcomprising: at least one database or a filing unit for storing therein aplurality of document files comprising a hypertext document previouslywritten with a hypertext-description language such as HTML and/or anon-hypertext document prepared with an application such as wordprocessor; a browser having a browsing function for displaying andoperating the hypertext document or the non-hypertext document on ascreen; and a search engine having a search-engine function of searchingfor a corresponding document through the database or the filing unitaccording to a specified keyword; said browser having asearch-engine-compatible interface unit for making a word in a documentdisplayed on the screen to be specified, transferring the specified wordto said search engine as a keyword to be used in the search engine,receiving a search result from said search engine, and displaying thesearch result on the screen; and said search engine having abrowser-compatible interface unit for performing a search by using thekeyword transferred from said browser and transferring a search resultto said browser.